India's Power Sector Emissions Flat Amid Clean Energy Surge

According to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), power-sector carbon dioxide emissions in India remained flat from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2026. This stability occurred as an expansion of non-fossil capacity absorbed all growth in electricity demand. The report highlights that this is the first time in over 50 years that coal power in India has not grown over a two-year period, even with an increase in overall electricity demand.

Clean energy sources met the entire 7% rise in electricity demand over these two years, providing an additional 63 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. Solar capacity additions, totaling 77 gigawatts, were the primary driver, fulfilling 60% of the power demand growth. Additional generation from wind contributed 13 TWh, hydro 8 TWh, and nuclear energy 7 TWh. These non-fossil gains collectively reached 70 TWh, exceeding the country's net electricity demand growth during the period.

US Funds Thai SMR Feasibility Study

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Thailand's Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) signed an agreement on September 14 in Bangkok to fund a feasibility study for small modular reactor (SMR) deployment. The study will assist EGAT in evaluating potential locations, costs, and regulatory steps necessary for implementing SMR technologies, which are projected to generate around 600 MWe.

The study will be vendor-neutral, considering reactor designs from multiple companies, including GE-Hitachi, Holtec, Kairos Power, NuScale, TerraPower, Westinghouse, and X-Energy. The USTDA will issue a request for proposals for this study to interested firms from the United States. This funding aligns with the USTDA's mission to connect companies from the United States with export opportunities in emerging markets by supporting early-stage infrastructure projects.

Narin Phoawanich, Governor of EGAT, stated that the grant provides a foundation for Thailand to assess SMR technology's role in strengthening energy security and promoting a cleaner energy future. Thomas Hardy, Deputy Director and Acting Director of the USTDA, emphasized that this partnership advances the commitment of the United States to innovation and leadership in advanced civil nuclear energy, supporting the deployment of advanced technologies globally.

This initiative follows a previous USTDA announcement in February, which provided USD2.7 million in funding for technical assistance to Meralco PowerGen Corp to evaluate SMR designs and develop an implementation roadmap for the Philippines' first SMR nuclear power plant. Thailand's government has identified SMR deployment as a component of its long-term power development strategy. In June 2025, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power also signed a memorandum of understanding with EGAT to cooperate on SMRs and explore their feasibility for future projects in Thailand.

NTPC Targets 50 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047, Evaluates SMRs

NTPC Ltd, India's largest power producer, aims to develop 50 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. This target constitutes half of India's broader 100 GW nuclear objective and signifies a strategic shift for the state-run utility. Nuclear power is emerging as a key long-term growth option for NTPC to ensure clean, non-intermittent baseload electricity.

The company is collaborating with multiple international technology providers and simultaneously enhancing its in-house technical expertise. While actively evaluating Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, NTPC does not foresee their widespread commercial deployment in the near term. The capital-intensive nuclear developments will operate under a cost-plus economic model, designed to mitigate financial risks associated with long project timelines and significant initial investments. The ultimate scale of these projects will also depend on state support for demand.